#1 Question

HOW COLD IS IT?

Some/most days I think Fall has come and gone and then around 2:00pm, if the sun is shinning just right, I can walk outside without a coat on for a minute or two. This only happens provided you are not in the shade, the wind is not blowing and you are constantly moving around (in the sun of course). It is not too terribly cold YET but, our downstairs heat has not been turned off in several weeks. For those of you who are curious we have boiler heat/steam.

Andy is at work so I will do my best to describe this heating phenonom, as I understand it. We have a boiler room inbetween our house and the next door neighbors. Diesel fuel heats up our boiler (water) and that provides steam to our baseboard heaters and to whatever else needs to be headed. I do know that we do not have a hot water heater tank thing. But, we do not physically see the steam coming out of the base boards; well yet anyway. I sure hope I explained this right!!

The sun is starting to rise around 8:30 - 9:00 and I have borrowed a picture from my friend Melissa of the sunrise. The sun is definitely starting to set a lot earlier now. In fact, I just looked out the window and it is pretty darn dark and it is 7:45!!! Back during it's peak, the sun was setting/going down around 11. Kodiak is located pretty far south compaired to the places that have the 3 months of total light and dark.

Andy continues to have not enough hours in the day to get all of his boat work and Chief's initiation stuff done but, is able to pull himself away and get home at a decent hour. His leadership skills have definitely helped me master the art of 4 Wheeling. We have been able to go at least once a weekend for several hours at a time. I HAD to include a picture of Andy and his 4 Wheeler stuck in the mud!

I have posted 2 pictures of a pond up on top of Old Woman's Mountain to show the color conrast of Summer and Fall. Another picture is of a rainbow in the neighborhood. I have been told that rainbows happen ALL the time but, I will not take them for granted. Also, a picture of Hogan looking like a mountain goat.

We hope everyone is happy, healthy and wise. If anyone wants a break from the rat race, learn how to live a slow paced life or simply be cold, drop us a line or just ring our doorbell, we'll leave the light on for you.

Season of Studs

Studded tires that is. October 1st was the first (official) day that motorist of Kodiak could put their studded tires on their vehicles. We currently do not own a pair of studded tires and hope that our 4 wheel drive Tundra, Sylvia will get us through winter.

Since we arrived on July 3rd, the snow has melted off the higher elevated mountains and is starting to reappear. It is really cool to watch the lower/closer mountains change colors just like trees do in the lower 48. Andy and I noticed the other day that it looked like someone had poured caramel sauce on top of the mountains and we are watching it slowly drip down day by day.

So we took the 4 wheelers out last week and had a great time. Andy was very patient with me and was a very good teacher. On our island there are more ATV trails that paved driveable roads. I can't wait to see what I have been missing. By request, I have included a picture of me, my bike and my new helmet. Action photos will come next post.

The bears continue to be out and about and have proven to not be scared of humans. My friend Kendra had one in her back yard on Saturday to only be shot in the butt with rubber bulletts by Military Police. His butt must not have been stinging to badly because he returned Tuesday to her front yard this time.

I hope everyone is doing well. I am trying to make a conscious effort of posting more often. We definitely do miss our friends and family back in the lower 48.